NEET Paper Leak: Centre Seeks Time on Pradhan's Resignation, NTA Sacks 47 Officials Amid Protests

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and activist Sonam Wangchuk. The two shared video messages on social media.

NEW DELHI: The stand-off between the Centre and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET paper leak continued on Friday, with no breakthrough on the protesters' key demand for the resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. While the government sought more time to respond after the second round of talks, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi renewed his attack on the Centre, reiterated the students' demands and accused the government of using force against peaceful protesters. Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has terminated the services of 47 officials as part of a major overhaul following the controversy over alleged paper leaks and examination-related irregularities. The move is part of a wider restructuring of the NTA aimed at strengthening accountability and restoring confidence in the examination system.

'Your love and trust gave me strength': PM Modi shares new video

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday shared another video message on social media, thanking people for their support as protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak continued. In the video posted on Instagram, PM Modi said, "Your love and trust gave me strength," while reiterating his commitment to the welfare of students and the government's resolve to act against those responsible for examination irregularities. The latest outreach comes a day after the Prime Minister released an unusual selfie-style video beginning with the words "Hello friends", in which he acknowledged that paper leaks were "not an ordinary matter" and assured students and their families that the government would take stricter action.

After 26 days of hunger, do I need to prove my sincerity?': Sonam Wangchuk

Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Friday shared an emotional message on social media, questioning why he still had to prove his commitment to the cause. In a post on X, Wangchuk wrote, "AFTER 26 DAYS OF HUNGER DO I NEED TO PROVE MY SINCERITY !!!" The post comes as Wangchuk ended his hunger strike, drawing attention to his demands and sparking reactions on social media.

NTA sacks 47 officials, recruitment overhaul begins

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has terminated 47 officials as part of its biggest overhaul since its formation, with some of those removed also facing legal and criminal action based on internal inquiries and inputs from investigating agencies, government sources said. The agency has also begun rebuilding its workforce by recruiting four General Managers and 16 Young Professionals through the UPSC's PRATIBHA Setu talent pool. The new appointments will focus on cybersecurity, digital forensics, test-centre operations and assessment research, and will be overseen by the K Radhakrishnan-led monitoring committee, which is scheduled to hold its first meeting on July 25. The restructuring follows the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and includes plans to reduce dependence on contractual and outsourced staff, strengthen examination security, review outsourcing practices, and prepare for the shift to computer-based NEET-UG examinations from 2027. Officials said further action and reforms are expected as investigations into examination-related irregularities continue.

Second round of talks ends without breakthrough

A CJP delegation held a nearly two-hour meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh at the Constitution Club in New Delhi. The delegation submitted three key demands and a five-point reform charter, but the meeting ended without a final decision. Addressing reporters, Nadda said the government would respond after internal consultations. "The meeting went on for almost two hours. They had three main demands and five reform suggestions for exams. We have told them that we will meet them again tomorrow afternoon and tell them about the discussion we had within the government," he said. The next round of talks has been scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Centre seeks more time on Pradhan's resignation

CJP leaders said the Centre had sought time till Saturday afternoon to respond to their demand for Pradhan's resignation, which they described as non-negotiable. CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the government had expressed in-principle approval to the other two demands. "The government has asked for time till tomorrow afternoon on our demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. We hope the government will remove him soon," he said. CJP leader Saurav Das said the delegation had also sought Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who died by suicide, withdrawal of FIRs and legal cases against protesting students, and a written sovereign guarantee that similar action would not be taken against peaceful protesters in the future. According to the delegation, the government accepted the compensation and FIR-related demands in principle.

Rahul Gandhi reiterates students' demands

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi renewed his demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's removal, alleging that the education minister was responsible for the crisis. "Dharmendra Pradhan is a criminal education minister. He has to be removed. He is a symbol of the collapse of our education system. He has to go," Gandhi said. He said students were demanding the removal of the education minister, action against those responsible for the alleged pellet gun use and lathi-charge during the protests, and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the press conference, Rahul also presented a protester whom he alleged had suffered pellet gun injuries during the Jantar Mantar protest. "His eye has suffered damage, and he has lost his vision," Gandhi said, while alleging that the government had falsely denied using pellet guns against protesters. The government has denied using pellet guns during the protest.

Cabinet approves tougher anti-paper leak law

The union cabinet approved amendments to the Prevention of Paper Leak law, proposing stricter punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks. According to sources, the proposed amendments provide for a maximum jail term of 10 years, a fine of up to Rs 10 crore and an increase in the minimum imprisonment from three years to five years. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said the government would introduce the Bill in Parliament soon and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed that there should be no delay. Rijiju also criticised the Opposition for disrupting Parliament and urged members to allow a discussion on the issue.

Supreme Court to hear police action pleas; CJI clarifies earlier remarks

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear on July 27 two petitions alleging excessive police action against students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak. Earlier in the day, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant clarified that reports claiming he had refused to hear a petition on the issue were incorrect. "In the last two days, a completely false statement was made that a matter was filed," the CJI said, adding that only a representation had been submitted at that stage and describing the reports as "irresponsible and reckless".

PM Modi promises stricter action

A day before the Cabinet decision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government would introduce legislation providing for fast-track courts and stricter punishment in paper leak cases. "Paper leaks are not an ordinary matter. For lakhs of students and their parents, it is extremely painful," Modi said. The Prime Minister said the government had ensured that nearly 22 lakh students did not lose an academic year by conducting the examinations again. He also welcomed activist Sonam Wangchuk's decision to end his 26-day hunger strike, while the CJP maintained that its protest would continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.